I was recently bemoaning the fact to foodblogger that there are not many places in the Dallas area to find good pizza ingredients. Well, things are looking up. Recently, I discovered Jimmy's Food Store, at 4901 Bryant St. (at Fitzhugh), in Dallas (214-823-6180). I had heard of them before as a potential source of Italian foodstuffs (as a result of an intensive Google search), but a fire destroyed the store and it has taken about a year for Jimmy's to come back. And it has come back bigger and better than before.

I visited Jimmy's yesterday to see what it has in the way of quality pizza ingredients. Basically, the store's stock in trade is deli meats, cheeses, an extensive selection of wines (strictly Italian), a general assortment of imported Italian foodstuffs, and a few domestic foods, including canned tomatoes (more on this below).

In the deli meats case I saw Margarita stick pepperoni as well as another brand in a stick form whose name I did not note. The store also features some Boar's Head deli meats, freshly made Italian sausage, and various imported salume. For cheeses, I saw a deli slicing mozzarella cheese, which also comes pre-shredded in a bag (I was told that it is a step below Polly-O), Bubulus Bubalis buffalo mozzarella cheese (domestic from CA), the Mozzarella Fresca brand of fresh mozzarella cheese (only in the log form), and a Saint Louis-style Provel cheese. The latter is one I will want to try sometime just to see what the Saint Louis style pizza is all about. I also spotted the Stella slicing provolone cheese in the deli case, as well as imported provolone, Reggiano-Parmigiano, grana padano and several other hard-grating cheeses (including Romano).

For me, a major find was Stanislaus tomatoes and a few San Marzano tomatoes. The Stanislaus tomatoes are the #10 size and include the Full Red (in whole, diced, puree and sauce form), 7/11s, and Tomato Magic. As best I could tell, the Stanislaus #10s are all $4.99. The San Marzano's are DOP Cento ($3.99 for a 28-ounce can), and non-DOP LaValle, in the 28-ounce can ($1.99) and a much larger can size that looks to be about a #10 can size ($4.99). There are also the LaValle cherry tomatoes in small (very small) and large cans.

In addition to the above, there is a broad and diversified selection of olive oils and balsamic vinegars, anchovies, a broad assortment of Italian pastas, and a few dried herbs. They also make sandwiches using their deli goods, for consumption at a few tables or for takeout. I did not see any 00 flours, although I think I did see some packaged semolina flour.

While I was in the deli line, I had a chance to chat with another shopper. As a long-time customer of Jimmy's, he was of course delighted to see Jimmy's back in business. He also confirmed for me that there are very few Italian foods places in Dallas, so there is not much point in trying to scour the Dallas landscape to find a better place. The store is not especially large or fancy, and it doesn't have the breadth of Italian products that similar stores in other major cities have, but there was a crowd in the place, and they all seemed to be enjoying themselves. The crowd size made service a bit slow but the workers were efficient and pleasant. It will be a must stop for me whenever I am shopping in Dallas.

Pete-zza;Just wanted to thank you for the information. I live in southern Oklahoma (2 hrs. from Dallas) and occassionally do make a trip to Dallas and am really looking forward to checking this store out........Buffalo

I believe you are correct about the background of the store. When I was there on Saturday, I also noticed some Hispanic foods. Not many, and I suspect that the fairly large Hispanic community near the store buys their foodstuffs from other stores that carry much more in the way of Hispanic goods than Jimmy's. I saw a few Hispanic workers in the store but just about all the customers were not Hispanic. I did not feel unsafe in any way while I was in and around Jimmy's but I would try to park in the few spaces at the front and side of the store just to avoid long walks to the store. Next time I might go on a day other than a Saturday just to get through the store faster.

I paid another visit today to Jimmy's in Dallas to replenish some pizza supplies.

This time I noticed that they did not have the Bubulus Bubalis domestic buffalo mozzarella cheese but they had the imported Cilento brand buffalo mozzarella cheese from Campania. I also saw at least five different brands of pepperoni. I spoke for a while with one of the owners behind the counter and he told me that they carry some of the Polly-O cheese products, and also the Bel Gioiso fresh mozzarella (bocconcini). The provel cheese I reported on in my initial post is made by Hoffman's, which is the supplier to Imo's in St. Louis.

Among the dry goods, I found two different brands of 00 flour, which I either did not notice the last time (although I looked carefully) or they were out of stock when I was last there. The two brands are Barilla ($2.89 for a 1-kilo bag) and Molino Borgo S. Dalmazzo ($2.99 for a 1-kilo bag). Since just about everything on the packaging was in Italian, I couldn't decipher the percent of protein. On my way out, I saw fresh basil, some of which I bought up to use on some pizzas.

Since it looks like the inventory moves and changes with some regularity at Jimmy's, it may pay to call in advance if looking for specific pizza items. But, in general, it looks like Jimmy's has just about everything needed to make pizzas, except for domestic flours.

Hello Pete-zza;I will be making a trip to Dallas within the next two weeks and am planning on stopping by this store. I notice you said they carried several brands of pepperoni. I am particularly interested in getting my pepperoni to "cup and crisp" and have not had any success with getting Hormel pepperoni to do this. Do you have a recommendation on a brand that this store carries that will, hopefully, give me what I am looking for. Thank you......Buffalo

Fortunately you asked me your question while I can still remember things.

I recall 5 specific pepperoni brands: Ciao, Margherita, Molinari, Boar's Head and Volpi. You will find the Ciao and Margherita brands in the left-most of three meat/cheese cases at the back of the store. One of our members, Rocky Marciano, who works for a pizzeria in Western NY, swears by the Margherita pepperoni and says that it cups and crisps up because the slices are small (diameter). Another member, 007bond, likes the Boar's Head and says that it cups. You will find the Boar's Head in the middle meat/cheese case, along with the other brands I mentioned. Member scampi says that his favorite pepperoni brand is the Volpi. However, Frankie G., who works in the pepperoni business, says that the Volpi pepperoni is perhaps best eaten raw because it might burn on the pizza. I have tried the Ciao pepperoni (its diameter is larger than the other brands), and found it agreeable but it doesn't cup and char.

If you like fresh sausage, you might want to check out Jimmy's version. It is in the right-most meat case in the back of the store. It comes in hot and mild, at $3.99/lb. One of the popular pizza gathering spots in Dallas, Fireside Pies, features Jimmy's sausage on their pizza menu. I bought some of the sausage today but haven't yet tried it.

As a follow-up to my last post, I did get to try Jimmy's sausage (the hot one), along with the provel cheese that I bought today.

The sausage has a strong fennel component--more than I personally like. So, for now I will stick to my regular supermarket brand. As for the provel cheese, I had read a characterization of it somewhere that it was like Cheese-Wiz on a pizza. I'm sorry I read that, because as I ate a pizza with it, I found it to be an accurate characterization. I actually liked eating it better just as is. It reminded me of white cheddar cheese. But, for the price, it is far cheaper to just buy white cheddar cheese. I'm glad I tried it, however, because I had read so much about the product. And the provel I tried is the same brand as used by Imo's in St. Louis. I guess it's an acquired taste.

Have you found any retail establishments that sell Stella low-moisture whole-milk mozzarella, either in the dairy section or deli? I have called every grocery chain imagineable, including Whole Foods and Central Market. None of them carry anything but Sargento and whatever their preferred deli brand is, along with a managerie of fresh mozzarella brands. After growing up in Chicago, I am dying here in Texas without high quality Italian food! I'm about to step up my search to restaurant supply chains.

I've heard Sam's Club carries 5 lb. bags of shredded Stella, but I do not have a membership there. A friend is going to check for me tomorrow.

My local Albertson's carries 6 IN 1 Ground Tomatoes (only the unpeeled All Purpose variety), but it was on the very bottom shelf and I fear it was long past the date. I have emailed Escalon to decode the manufacturing code to let me know what the pack date was.

Thanks for the tips on the cupped and charred pepperoni! That sounds really tasty right now.

I am always checking out the cheese sections of all the food stores I visit and the only place I know of near me that carries processed whole-milk mozzarella cheese is Wal-Mart's. It carries the Stella provolone cheese in the deli section but not the Stella mozzarella cheese. Judging from this link, http://www.samsclub.com/shopping/navigate.do?catg=535&item=185239&prDeTab=2#A, Sam's apparently does carry the shredded Stella whole-milk, low-moisture mozzarella cheese. However, before going to the Sam's you decide to visit you may want to call to confirm that they actually have the Stella in stock.

I have pretty much given up looking for processed whole-milk mozzarella cheeses in the Dallas area. Instead, I wait until I head north (as I am doing this week) where I can find them quite easily and I buy several pounds, freeze them, and bring them back home with me in an insulated cooler. I have found sources of the Grande whole-milk and the Dragone whole-milk, but I haven't specifically looked for the Stella brand.

If you get an answer on the 6-in-1s, please let us know what you learn. My local Albertson's changed to a low-frills store with a lot fewer choices, but there are other Albertson's not too far from me.

The second set of five numbers/letters on our can indicates the pack date using the Julian dates. For instance, the can code FRES3 2065L would indicate that the product is 6 in 1 all purpose tomatoes (first set of numbers) and that they were packed on July 24 (Julian date #206) in the year 2005. L represents one of our hour codes.

Only problem with this: My can said FRES3 5H11J. I'm not sure how to translate 5H11 into Julian dates. I've emailed them back for clarification on that specific code. Their website lists the shelf-life of their products at 24 months from the pack date.

Each time I visit Jimmy's Food Store in Dallas, I either find something new or something I may have missed before.

This time I discovered that Jimmy's carries the Polly-O whole-milk low-moisture mozzarella cheese, which I saw in a slab in the refrigerated cheese/deli case. It is sold in any desired weight. In chatting with the fellow who served me, I also learned that Jimmy's carries a shredded mozzarella cheese from Grande, at $4.99 a pound. I didn't think to ask which Grande cheese it was, so I will have to ask next time.

Often Jimmy's features specials. Today, it was Parmigiano-Reggiano at $9.99 a pound. Now, that's a bargain.

Good catch! It looks like there is another Jimmy's Food Store in Fort Worth, only a few minutes away from where I work. I'll try to stop by on my way home from work on Monday and see what I can find. Thanks for the tip!

You are correct. The Jimmy's Food Store in Fort Worth is nothing but a convenient store. The one in Dallas is "the one and only". I did not visit them, but they claimed to carry the Polly-O mozzarella cheeses when I called them on the phone.

I visited Central Market yesterday for the first time ever. I was very impressed (especially with their produce)!

They carry the Muir Glen tomato products, but no Escalon. But what caught my eye was the mozzarella cheese at the deli: Saputo. If I am not mistaken, this is the parent company of Stella. I am not sure if there is a difference between Stella and the Saputo labels, but this was a very tasty mozzarella indeed.

I wish they would build one of these in South Arlington! They have one opening in Southlake soon, but Fort Worth is closer to me.

Today I found some Stella brand part-skim whole-milk mozzarella cheese, in slice form, at a Wal-Mart off of LBJ at MacArthur Blvd., in Irving. The cheese is in sealed 8-ounce packages. I also saw the Stella Provolone in similar packages, and also in tube form in the deli section. The Stella in slices is a new offering at Wal-Mart's so you may find it at other Wal-Mart locations near you.

Each time I visit Jimmy's Food Store in Dallas, I either find something new or something I may have missed before.

This time I discovered that Jimmy's carries the Polly-O whole-milk low-moisture mozzarella cheese, which I saw in a slab in the refrigerated cheese/deli case. It is sold in any desired weight. In chatting with the fellow who served me, I also learned that Jimmy's carries a shredded mozzarella cheese from Grande, at $4.99 a pound. I didn't think to ask which Grande cheese it was, so I will have to ask next time.

Often Jimmy's features specials. Today, it was Parmigiano-Reggiano at $9.99 a pound. Now, that's a bargain.

Peter

Peter,

I use Polly-O exclusively on my pizzas and I get it from the Central Market in Plano. This cheese gets turned regularly in that store which I favor. I also get CM's house provolone and use an 80-20 mixture, mozz to provolone.

I've been to Jimmy's at least three times and I'm really trying to like this place but they just don't merchandise their products very well. However, I have been pleased with anything I've bought there - sausage, tinned tomatoes, pasta, homemade tomato sauce.

I've been to Jimmy's at least three times and I'm really trying to like this place but they just don't merchandise their products very well

Scagnetti,

LOL. I know what you mean. They don't volunteer much about their products although they will answer all of the questions you ask and in great detail. Each time I squeeze a few more things out of them. Plus I really check out the deli cases and their dry goods, especially the canned tomatoes, which often leads me to more questions to ask them. I also check out the cheese board. They seem proud of their cheese selections and will readily give you samples.

I have been able to find the Polly-O at the Dallas Central Market, which is usually on my route whenever I go to Dallas to buy things. I also check out the Lower Greenville Whole Foods. I'm grateful to have Jimmy's, CM and WF all pretty close to each other. Plus Dawn Foods for flour.

On my way to Dallas this morning, I stopped by Jimmy's for an update on their pizza ingredients and to buy a few items. This time I saw the Polly-O smoked whole-milk part-skim mozzarella cheese and the Polly-O fior di latte fresh mozzarella cheese. I inquired of the gal behind the counter whether there is a discount if one buys a whole brick of the Polly-O, either the regular or the smoked. The discount is $1. My recollection is that a brick weighs about 6 pounds. I had intended to ask about the Grande cheese but forgot. There was a sale on for the Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, at $9.99 a pound. That's a bargain for the real deal.

I also noticed that Jimmy's carries a fairly wide selection of Sclafani canned tomatoes. This may not be a new line but the name jumped out at me since I recently read on another thread that some members are very fond of the Sclafani products. I did not see many other changes in the canned tomatoes department.

Today (3/24/07), I made another trip into Dallas to replenish some of my pizza supplies. I checked in on Whole Foods, Central Market and Jimmy's. Overall, I was somewhat disappointed. It seemed to me that the selection of quality pizza ingredients that I like to use was less than in past trips, especially at Whole Foods and Central Market, where the mozzarella cheese offerings were fewer than before, both for fresh mozzarella cheese and processed mozzarella cheese. In fact, I found no processed mozzarella cheeses in Central Market and only one at Whole Foods, from an unknown (to me) California producer. Their canned tomato sections were pretty much the same as before. And both continue to sell the San Marzanos grown and packed in the U.S. with the labels in Italian that apparently fool a lot of people into believing that they are buying imported San Marzano tomatoes.

However, Jimmy's came through again. For the first time since I have been going there, Jimmy now carries the 6-in-1s. But only the #10 can size, at $4.99. There was a total of 5 such cans, so they are either selling or they are being tested. I also discovered that they sell the Grande shredded mozzarella cheese/provolone cheese combination, by the pound or by the bag (5 lb., I believe). They were out of the brick Polly-O whole-milk mozzarella cheese (which is sold by the piece or brick), but they had the Polly-O fior di latte (fresh mozzarella) in balls in tubs, one of which said the cheese balls were "cherry" size. The mozzarella/Provolone combo is the only Grande cheese sold by Jimmy's. The rest are mostly Polly-O products.

The rest of the inventory of pizza ingredients changed again. Each time I go to Jimmy's, one of more products from the last visit are gone and replaced with some new ones. This time it also looked like there were fewer 28-ounce or 35-ounce cans of tomatoes and more #10 cans. But always a big enough assortment to find something that will work.

I left with Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese ($9.99 a pound), Locatelli Romano (they were out of Pecorino Romano), imported Provolone, a couple of pounds of the Grande mozzarella/Provolone blend, and a #10 can of 6-in-1s.